Judge Gives Joseph Duncan Help In Preparing His Case

INDIO -A judge today appointed a private investigator to help prepare a defense for a convicted child killer who is representing himself on charges involving the 1997 kidnap-slaying of a Beaumont boy.

Joseph Edward Duncan III is representing himself against first-degree murder and other charges stemming from the April 1997 slaying of 10-year-old Anthony Martinez. He could face the death penalty if convicted.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge David Downing appointed Enrique Tira, an Indio-based private investigator, to help Duncan prepare for trial.

Tira will be compensated up to $75 an hour, without a cap, to assist Duncan, who is next due in court on Feb. 26, according to court records.

The defendant indicated in a December court appearance that he might need up to two years to prepare for trial. He has said previously that he does not plan on cross-examining witnesses.

Duncan has said that because of his belief system, he can only tell his “truth” by being silent in court.

Duncan, who has indicated he does not deny the allegations against him, cannot plead guilty because of a California law that stipulates a defendant must be represented by an attorney and have that lawyer’s consent to enter a guilty plea in a potential death penalty case.

A jury last August found Duncan, 46, competent to stand trial and represent himself.

He has already been sentenced to death for the kidnapping, molestation and murder of a 9-year-old boy in Idaho, where he was linked to the Indio case during questioning.

Duncan admitted he tortured and sexually abused the children over several weeks before shooting Dylan Groene in the head at a remote Montana campsite while his 8-year-old sister, Shasta Groene, watched. She survived.

Duncan was sentenced to several life terms for killing the children’s 13-year-old brother, mother and her fiance at the family’s home near Coeur d’Alene.